Preview — The Forever Girl by Alexander McCall Smith

The Forever Girl

The author of the best-selling and universally adored No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series now gives us The Forever Girl, a novel about love and following one’s heart, and the unexpected places to which this can lead us.

Amanda and her husband, David, feel fortunate to be raising their son and daughter in the close-knit community of ex-pats on Grand Cayman Island, an idyllThe author of the best-selling and universally adored No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series now gives us The Forever Girl, a novel about love and following one’s heart, and the unexpected places to which this can lead us.

Amanda and her husband, David, feel fortunate to be raising their son and daughter in the close-knit community of ex-pats on Grand Cayman Island, an idyllic place for children to grow up. Their firstborn, Sally, has always listened to her heart, deciding at age four that she would rather be called Clover and then, a few years later, falling in love with her best friend, James.

But the comforting embrace of island life can become claustrophobic for adults, especially when they are faced with difficult situations. At the same time that Clover falls in love with James, Amanda realizes that she has fallen out of love with David . . . and that she is interested in someone else. While Amanda tries to navigate the new path her heart is leading her down, Clover finds, much to her dismay, that James seems to be growing away from her. And when they leave the island for boarding school—James to England and Clover to Scotland—she feels she may have lost him for good. As Clover moves on to university, seldom seeing James but always carrying him in her heart, she finds herself torn between a desire to go forward with her life and the old feelings that she just can’t shed.

Through the lives of Clover and James, and Amanda and David, acclaimed storyteller Alexander McCall Smith tells a tale full of love and heartbreak, humor and melancholy, that beautifully demonstrates the myriad ways in which love shapes our lives....more

Hardcover, 316 pages

Published
February 11th 2014
by Pantheon
(first published January 1st 2014)

Only his short stories have ever disappointed before. Missing are the worthy, self-deprecating sorts who usually people his books. There are soI adore Alexander McCall Smith, and have read and reread almost everything he's written. I've stood ina long line to hear him speak and I greatly anticipated reading this newest, stand alone novel.

Only his short stories have ever disappointed before. Missing are the worthy, self-deprecating sorts who usually people his books. There are some very thoughtful observations about third culture kids, somethingvery important to me, but for the most part, I'd give this a pass....more

A pathetic story with pathetic characters. Nothing like the musings of gratitude of Precious Ramotswe or the philosophical ponderings of Isabel Dalhousie, two of McCall Smith’s endearing series characters. Not a whit of the author’s usual self-deprecating humor. And for the reader who naively and desperately wanted to believe that the destination would justify the journey (that would be me), a climax that beggars belief. Bleccch.

The Forever Girl is the third stand-alone adult novel by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. New Yorker Amanda meets Scots accountant, David, they fall in love and marry. David’s work takes them to Grand Cayman, where they live among other ex-pats, Caribbean islanders and native Caymanians. They have two children: Sally, who renames herself Clover at four years of age, and Billy. Australian Alice and English doctor George live nearby, and their son, James goes to school with Clover at CaymaThe Forever Girl is the third stand-alone adult novel by Scottish author, Alexander McCall Smith. New Yorker Amanda meets Scots accountant, David, they fall in love and marry. David’s work takes them to Grand Cayman, where they live among other ex-pats, Caribbean islanders and native Caymanians. They have two children: Sally, who renames herself Clover at four years of age, and Billy. Australian Alice and English doctor George live nearby, and their son, James goes to school with Clover at Cayman Prep. Clover and James are firm friends from day one, but as they grow up and Clover finds herself falling in love with James, Amanda realises the reverse is happening between her and David, and she is attracted to James’s father George. As events in their lives (parental separation, boarding school, University) see them drift apart, Clover is unable to dismiss her feelings for James, yet lacks the courage to speak of them because she knows he does not share them. As McCall Smith takes the reader from Cayman to Edinburgh to Melbourne and finally to Singapore through several decades of Amanda and Clover’s lives, he touches on many additional themes besides the main one of unrequited love: the concept of one true love; falling out of love; asking others to be a party to deceit; self-control vs repression; jealousy; obsession and irrational behaviour; private passions; platonic friendships; and guilt about inequality. As always, McCall Smith fills his novel with gentle philosophy as he tells his tale at a (perhaps too) sedate pace. McCall Smith has a well-honed expertise with the female protagonist, uncannily able to express what women think and feel. On God, Clover tells Ted “If it were a woman, she wouldn’t make things so hard for women”. He also gives them plenty of words of wisdom: on love, Amanda tells Clover “It’s the one thing, though – the one thing – that you just can’t be rational about. And I think that’s because love is fundamentally irrational – so how can you be rational about something that doesn’t make sense?” and about communication “We imagine that people know what we’re thinking, and they don’t. We misunderstand one another” Clover is a slightly frustrating heroine: she is given so much good advice that she ignores to her peril, yet the reader will not begrudge her the (fairly predictable) happy ending. Classic McCall Smith. ...more

Absolute drivel. The characters are so insipid, I think if they were real and I met them I would drop dead from utter boredom. We are supposed to think that Clover is so clever because she named herself, that it about the only thing the girl every did!! She wasted her entire life mooning over a boy that she never even told how she felt, and then apparently he's the male version of her. They deserve each other.

It saddens me to give a McCall Smith novel only 2 stars, but this comes no where close to his other works. I am not questioning his writing style, as always it was well-written with his trade mark observations on everyday life. I just didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling and the ending an absolute disgrace! I believe he tried to write this with the same charm that he uses with the Isabel Dalhousie series, but sadly, it failed miserably. I love this author but this book justIt saddens me to give a McCall Smith novel only 2 stars, but this comes no where close to his other works. I am not questioning his writing style, as always it was well-written with his trade mark observations on everyday life. I just didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling and the ending an absolute disgrace! I believe he tried to write this with the same charm that he uses with the Isabel Dalhousie series, but sadly, it failed miserably. I love this author but this book just didn't work for me....more

This book is different from AMS's other books, but it still has the gentle contemplativeness that I so love. His characters are never larger than life, but people that you feel you know. And the way he always describes Edinburgh, with so much love and understanding, which make me want to live there. Every time I read one of AMS's books I feel that everything is alright with the world.

While the plot line was simple, and not an uncommon one when it comes to romance novels, McCall Smith's style came through, making this novel a great read. The way in which he addresses human nature by including ideas we all have at one time or another, make this story one that reaches out to everyone.

Alexander McCall Smith is usually one of my favorite authors but the last two books of his I have read (this one and Trains and Lovers) have been a disappointment. The characters were just a bit too much on the passive bordering on pathetic side.

The Forever Girl follows the love stories (or perhaps lack of love stories?) of a mother and daughter. Amanda, the mother, who has been married for years with two children, slowly realizes that she has fallen out of love with her husband. Meanwhile her daughter Clover falls in love with her childhood best friend, but he doesn't seem to feel the same way about her. That's pretty much the story as this novel follows them through the years of their lives.

First, I really didn't like the way2.5 stars

The Forever Girl follows the love stories (or perhaps lack of love stories?) of a mother and daughter. Amanda, the mother, who has been married for years with two children, slowly realizes that she has fallen out of love with her husband. Meanwhile her daughter Clover falls in love with her childhood best friend, but he doesn't seem to feel the same way about her. That's pretty much the story as this novel follows them through the years of their lives.

First, I really didn't like the way Amanda just decided she had fallen out of love with her husband. She seemed so flippant about the idea, like it wasn't a big deal at all. And the conversation about it between Amanda and her husband David felt the same. In the matter of just a few sentences, they both agreed they didn't love each other and they should separate, as if neither of them had any sort of feelings at all. It just didn't feel realistic to me.

I can see how many people would not like Clover as a character, as she is fairly pathetic in her continual moping about James and her refusal to move on with her life. I didn't find this as obnoxious as others have described, and I think I preferred her story over Amanda's story. But by the end, I was ready to shout at her, "Either move on or tell him how you feel already!!"

This story held my interest at times, while at other times I didn't care much what was happening. Towards the end, Clover goes to Australia and Singapore, and it was at this point that I thought the book was finally getting interesting. At least it felt like something was finally going to happen! Then the book ended. I don't want to spoil the ending, but it was very sudden and not really that believable based on everything that had already happened in the book. It kind of felt like Mary Poppins just walked in and snapped her fingers and everything fell into place. If Alexander McCall Smith wanted to end his book this way, he should have written it in more detail to help the readers understand why the characters were doing what they are doing, which might possibly make it a more believable and realistic ending.

The Forever Girl would Make a very good mother's present. I have never read The no 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. This is my very first novel by Alexander that have I read. I am very glad that I have read this stand alone heart-breaking novel. I enjoyed reading The Forever Girl from page one up to the very end. I just could not put this novel down. I hope that Alexander McCall Smith will publish more stand alone novels in the near future sometime. The Forever Girl waThe Forever Girl would Make a very good mother's present. I have never read The no 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. This is my very first novel by Alexander that have I read. I am very glad that I have read this stand alone heart-breaking novel. I enjoyed reading The Forever Girl from page one up to the very end. I just could not put this novel down. I hope that Alexander McCall Smith will publish more stand alone novels in the near future sometime. The Forever Girl was a pure pleasure to read. The story of The Forever Girl is about a wealthy married couple Amanda and David who move to The Grand Cayman Islands where they hire a Jamaican nanny to look after their children Clover and Billy. While the family are in Cayman Amanda falls out of love with her husband and strikes up a really good friendship with another man. Their marriage comes to a crisis and Amanda moves to Scotland with Clover and Billy. At the young age of six.Clover has a best friend James who she spend all her time with until it is time for them to be sent to a Scotland college. Clover is madly in love with James and keeps on following James to every college and city in hope that he get the message that Clover is in love with him and wants to be his girlfriend. Alexander McCall Smith has invented characters that are totally refreshing, with the frame-work of the plot where the characters each have and their tension filled problems. The atmosphere of all of the locations are expertly written with gorgeous descriptions to capture some pure escapism interest for readers..I do highly recommend The Forever Girl to all readers of all ages. I hope that many other readers will enjoy reading Forever Girl as much as I have....more

Amanda and David, expats from the U.S. and Scotland respectively, live in the Grand Cayman Islands with their daughter Clover and a son who plays such a nominal role that I’ve forgotten his name. As a child, Clover becomes infatuated with her friend James. The plot focuses mostly on Clover’s love for James, which continues through adulthood despite that James often goes out of his way to avoid her and shows no sign of returning her devotion.

The only character I found really compelling was the AuAmanda and David, expats from the U.S. and Scotland respectively, live in the Grand Cayman Islands with their daughter Clover and a son who plays such a nominal role that I’ve forgotten his name. As a child, Clover becomes infatuated with her friend James. The plot focuses mostly on Clover’s love for James, which continues through adulthood despite that James often goes out of his way to avoid her and shows no sign of returning her devotion.

The only character I found really compelling was the Australian friend Clover makes after college, at which point the story briefly became very interesting. But the ending was completely improbable, given everything the reader witnessed earlier. Sadly, this novel lacks the charming characters, gentle wisdom, and understanding of human nature that I love in Alexander McCall Smith’s other books....more

Despite what some reviewers have written, I found this to be a charming, soothing book. AMS's writing has that effect on me. It's almost like going to therapy! While I don't want to give away the outcome, I will say that I am in Singapore while reading the book, staying here for a 6 week annual visit. Coincidental, for sure, but giving the story more reality for me. One thing that readers should keep an eye out for are some very wise life statements within the book that are not emphasized in anyDespite what some reviewers have written, I found this to be a charming, soothing book. AMS's writing has that effect on me. It's almost like going to therapy! While I don't want to give away the outcome, I will say that I am in Singapore while reading the book, staying here for a 6 week annual visit. Coincidental, for sure, but giving the story more reality for me. One thing that readers should keep an eye out for are some very wise life statements within the book that are not emphasized in any way, just stated as part of the wonderful observations being shared with us. I did not mark them as I plan to share the book with others, but will go back and write them down for myself in a place I can return to again and again....more

It pains me to give a McCall Smith novel only 2 stars, but he's set the bar high with his other works. As always, this was well-written, with the quiet, wise observations on everyday life that are a hallmark, but I didn't find any of the characters particularly compelling.

'She reached out and touched Clover's hand..."I think you may be in love with the idea of a boy rather than with an actual boy"

Clover has been infatuated with James, her childhood friend, since she was six years old, and doesn't know how to give up, despite harbouring a strong conviction that her love is unrequited and will never be returned. This book follows her through her life for over fifteen years as she tries to learn how to deal with the pain of love that will be forever unreturned.

I lo'She reached out and touched Clover's hand..."I think you may be in love with the idea of a boy rather than with an actual boy"

Clover has been infatuated with James, her childhood friend, since she was six years old, and doesn't know how to give up, despite harbouring a strong conviction that her love is unrequited and will never be returned. This book follows her through her life for over fifteen years as she tries to learn how to deal with the pain of love that will be forever unreturned.

I loved this book, and am really surprised to see that it hasn't been rated very highly by other readers. Clover's love for James was very believable, and I couldn't put this book down, finishing it in around 4 or 5 hours of straight reading. I loved how the author described the locations in the book, from the claustrophobic society of the Cayman islands to historic romance of Edinburgh... it is a shame that the cover didn't look more enticing as we know many people do judge a book by it and I fear they may miss out on an excellent read.

I haven't read a lot of the author's other work, so maybe that is why I was able to enjoy this book where other's weren't able to. It is definitely an introspective, reflective novel... more about feelings and relationships and patience than action and drama. That isn't to say that it is dull or slow, just that there are no big shocking events like murders!

I think this book really reflected the true nature of unrequited love for me, in a way that I haven't seen in a long time. It really resonated with me, and I would definitely read it again. I recommend it to all those interested in the emotions and process of unrequited or unconsummated love. There are some great insights into human nature gently slotted into the main body of the text in a subtle way.

I think this one will divide fans, as romantic types may love it, and realists may hate it. It certainly isn't a comedy, but I think if you go into it knowing it will be very different from the author's other works then you wont be disappointed. It sounds like it has been written from experience.

The 3rd installment of HarperCollins modern Jane Austen series will be Emma, written by Alexander McCall Smith. I hadn't heard of him before, but I have enjoyed reading interviews with him for that book and for "The Forever Girl". Also Mary Jane Hathaway, the author of the delightful "Austen takes the South" series("Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits", "Emma, Knightley, and Chili-Dogs", and the upcoming "Persuasion, Captain Wentworth, and Cranklin' Cornbread"), is a big fan of his. So, I decidedThe 3rd installment of HarperCollins modern Jane Austen series will be Emma, written by Alexander McCall Smith. I hadn't heard of him before, but I have enjoyed reading interviews with him for that book and for "The Forever Girl". Also Mary Jane Hathaway, the author of the delightful "Austen takes the South" series("Pride, Prejudice, and Cheese Grits", "Emma, Knightley, and Chili-Dogs", and the upcoming "Persuasion, Captain Wentworth, and Cranklin' Cornbread"), is a big fan of his. So, I decided to read this book. I'm very very happy to report that appears that "Emma" is in good hands. Unlike the Caroline Bingley like Joanna Trollope(she said that 'Janeites'don't get my book' and What do Janeites look like? "I've been to one of their conventions," says Trollope, "which was held in Winchester, and most of the delegates from America – none of whom was exactly anorexic – were all in Jane Austen clothes." http://www.theguardian.com/books/shor...), Alexander McCall Smith seems to have a good humor about himself. While "The Forever Girl" isn't the most wittest book, it has a gentle spirit about it. As Elinor Dashwood says in S&S 08, 'nothing to disturb or upset one'. No real villain.Yea!!!! Lol, some have said on Goodreads that it is too slow. If you look for darker themes, this is not for you. However, I really enjoyed the Highburian world created in at least the first half of the book. Another Austen book comes to mind for the overall story. As that's perhaps too much of a spoiler, I wouldn't mention which one. I only wish the ending was more like Emma in terms of details. I look forward to rereading this lovely gentle book. 4.75 Regency Teacups...more

I was disappointed in this book by McCall Smith. I like Smith's subtle humor in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency and the Isabel Dahlhousie series but there is very little humor in this book. Also, nothing really happens except a bunch of rich expats wander the globe pining for love. Pretty lame and the end was even lamer. Definitely should not have finished this one!

**spoilers** Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors. His way with words and true art of description, making things completely understood by saying it in a way I would be unable to think of, is amazing. And he can write from a female perspective better than some females! (Lol). That's why I was absolutely thrilled to get it from the Goodreads giveaway of The Forever Girl!

Unfortunately...I did not really care for this book. The characters are awful! The book begins by being with Ama**spoilers** Alexander McCall Smith is one of my favorite authors. His way with words and true art of description, making things completely understood by saying it in a way I would be unable to think of, is amazing. And he can write from a female perspective better than some females! (Lol). That's why I was absolutely thrilled to get it from the Goodreads giveaway of The Forever Girl!

Unfortunately...I did not really care for this book. The characters are awful! The book begins by being with Amanda, who is described unknowingly by her daughter near the end of the book: "It was a state that Clover recognised from people she had known in Cayman: the boredom that comes with having money." (p307) She decides, in this boredom and seemingly on a whim, that she is in love with someone else. Though she does not have a physical affair with the man, she and her husband split and live apart for some time. They end up getting back together in the same "meh, ok, let's do that" way. The point? Not sure.

The main character for the rest of the book, Clover, is her daughter, whose best friend and object of her desire is James - ironically the son of the man Amanda had decided to fall in love with. I say object of desire as she loves him from childhood through and past college - all without telling him, and very much from afar. Her love is obsessive to the point of stalking him across the world - and yes, that is stalking (she tells herself it's not). I found her and her infatuation pitiful. Basically, she is waiting around for him to make the first move but he behaves like he is completely disinterested - doesn't even keep in communication with her via email, calling her his "sister", even denying they were best friends as children. She continues to "love" him through high school and college, not seeing him for three years at a stretch, being miserable, while he has girlfriends and is fine living his life Clover-free. (She also has a long term boyfriend who she doesn't give a decent chance.). So let's just say the ending of the book made me want to throw it across the room!! Ridiculous.

The author's female characters are typically so strong that Clover was a huge disappointment. I personally have a huge pet peeve for pitiful, pathetic weak women. I also think her "love" is unrealistic to be continued for so long. It might be seen as beautiful unrequited love, but to me, to not get over a man who ignores and pushes you away for years is just stupid and lame. I kept shouting at the book "Get over it!" I know more romantic hearts might love that, but to me it's ridiculous and hopefully, unrealistic!

I would not have finished this book if I hadn't felt responsible for reading it in order to write the requested review. Sorry Mr McCall Smith, this one was a strikeout for me....more

I find I agree with most of the community reviews that gave this book 2-3 stars. It missed the gentle humor of Smith's books and I kept looking for it. With a girl named Clover, I expected a lot of both humor and romance but found it too subtle.

I will continue to look for more Alexander McCall Smith books. I LOVED the Detective Agency video! It is available on Netflix.

Mr. Smith has an uncanny ability to delve into the human mind/soul and hit upon all that is so true of us all. He describes his characters from the inside out and knows exactly what they are feeling and what is going through their heads.

His narrative flows along flawlessly and you take this wonderful journey along with him.

These characters have all sorts of ups/downs, heart delemmas (sic) and in the end...well, you'll have to read the book.

Great groans of agony! Two of McCall Smith's three stand-alone novels stink to high heaven (Trains & Lovers was barely better, only because it was short and therefore less of a torment). He needs to give it up and stick to what he excels at: the serial novel.

This is a sweet love story, and it is also a story that gives you a lot to think about. When I finished, I closed my book, hugged it to me and sighed--and it's been a long time since a book has done that to me.

I didn't love this book and it was a disappointment. McCall Smith is my favorite author and so far I've loved all his books and I own at least 20 of them, maybe 30. Anyway I never thought it was possible that I could feel this way about one of his books. I didn't really like any of the characters and if I don't feel a connection to at least one of the characters then I find a book hard. They just were boring. And there was almost a complete lack of humor which is one the things I treasure aboutI didn't love this book and it was a disappointment. McCall Smith is my favorite author and so far I've loved all his books and I own at least 20 of them, maybe 30. Anyway I never thought it was possible that I could feel this way about one of his books. I didn't really like any of the characters and if I don't feel a connection to at least one of the characters then I find a book hard. They just were boring. And there was almost a complete lack of humor which is one the things I treasure about this author in particular. Big bummer!...more

I usually enjoy Alexander McCall Smith's books, but this one I found tedious because the main character, Clover, is just so annoying that I wanted to throttle her. For God's sake I thought, make up your mind and stick to it!!

The story begins in the Cayman Islands, where Clover is a young girl living with her parents, who are Scottish and American. She goes to school and meets James, whose parents are also from the white professional class living on the island.

She and James become best friends fI usually enjoy Alexander McCall Smith's books, but this one I found tedious because the main character, Clover, is just so annoying that I wanted to throttle her. For God's sake I thought, make up your mind and stick to it!!

The story begins in the Cayman Islands, where Clover is a young girl living with her parents, who are Scottish and American. She goes to school and meets James, whose parents are also from the white professional class living on the island.

She and James become best friends from the very first, until James begins to push her away as he grows older. Both are sent away to boarding school, Clover to Edinburgh and James to England. While Clover makes other friends, she never forgets James, and comes to realise that she loves him, even though she rarely meets him and has nothing to do with his life. He, on the other hand, seems to have made a successful life away from Clover.

McCall Smith has lots of philosophical things to say about the role of love in our modern world, and this aspect of the novel is interesting. But as a character, I became entirely frustrated by Clover and the ploys she sets up to enable her to meet James. As for James, he is never more than a name in the novel as he only ever appears infrequently, and never has a chance to say anything of consequence as a character.

This is the first book by this author that I have read outside of the "No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series. The latter I loved and so had high expectations for this book. It sorely disappointed. It is the story of an expat family living in the Cayman Islands. Dad, David, is a workaholic accountant. Mom, Amanda, has realized that she no longer loves David. Daughter, Clover, has been in love with James since she was 6 years old. There is also a son but he is really not a part of the story.

The stThis is the first book by this author that I have read outside of the "No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series. The latter I loved and so had high expectations for this book. It sorely disappointed. It is the story of an expat family living in the Cayman Islands. Dad, David, is a workaholic accountant. Mom, Amanda, has realized that she no longer loves David. Daughter, Clover, has been in love with James since she was 6 years old. There is also a son but he is really not a part of the story.

The story is about Amanda and her struggles with her marriage and Clover and her inability to get over James despite his non-interest in her. It follows this story all through prep school and the university years. Both stories were a bit irritating, especially Clover's. She never seems to grow up and is very weak.

Although the ending was somewhat satisfying, it was very short and devoid of details -- a disappointment after the entire book, which led up to the ending.

Story of Clover and James, who knew each other since the age of 6. Clover has been in love with him for many many years....

It really didn't hold my interest, but i kept on reading...and the words in the last few pages made the whole book worthwhile.

Favorite Quotes:

"It was clear to her now. You can love and not be loved in return. You can live without the thing that you want above all else; you can be free of it. We all have to do that; we all have to make a compromise. She would let James go, asStory of Clover and James, who knew each other since the age of 6. Clover has been in love with him for many many years....

It really didn't hold my interest, but i kept on reading...and the words in the last few pages made the whole book worthwhile.

Favorite Quotes:

"It was clear to her now. You can love and not be loved in return. You can live without the thing that you want above all else; you can be free of it. We all have to do that; we all have to make a compromise. She would let James go, as people everywhere gave up on the unattainable. And in giving up, there was a certain freedom, for herself as much as for him. The pursuer abandons the pursuits and the quarry gets away; both are free, for the moment." p 311-312

"Amanda looked at her. It was a whole separate life that she had created; that was the miracle of parenthood, and it never seemed to be anything less of a miracle; you made a whole world; several worlds---one for each child. and then you let go of those worlds, as a creator might do of a world he has created; you let go and watched." p 314

The first two sentences of this book promise the exploration of something most of us have pondered.

I have often wondered about the proposition that for each one of us there is one great love in our lives, and one only. Even if that is not true – and experience tells most of us that it is not – there are those, in legend at least, who believe there is only one person in this world whom they will ever love with all their heart. (p. 1)

On the same page that is followed up by some very good advice:ThThe first two sentences of this book promise the exploration of something most of us have pondered.

I have often wondered about the proposition that for each one of us there is one great love in our lives, and one only. Even if that is not true – and experience tells most of us that it is not – there are those, in legend at least, who believe there is only one person in this world whom they will ever love with all their heart. (p. 1)

On the same page that is followed up by some very good advice:The wise thing to do in cases of unrequited affection is to look elsewhere – you cannot force another to love you – and to choose somebody else. (p. 1)

Yet this promising first page gives way to a story that just grows more frustrating as one turns the pages. The segment of the story set in the Cayman Islands, where we meet the two main characters Clover and James as young children hanging out in a tree house, works well enough. We get a feel for the expatriate life there and get a much stronger sense of its particular burden as Clover’s mother and James’s father briefly seek in one another that which they cannot find in their own spouses.

We next follow Clover to boarding school and then to college and find her attempting to arrange coincidental meetings with James by waiting outside his flat when she knows he must leave to go to class or by showing up at events he is likely to be at. While this is happening I was hearing a increasing loud chant of “Get over it” in my minds ear, and indeed she gets that advice from her mother, from her friends, and even from her stand-in-for-James boyfriends Padraig.

But she does not take this advice and the pursuit continues, literally all over the Earth. The trips to Melbourne and Singapore sent me over the edge. They just seem too contrived, too bolted-on, to be believable, even though they featured a couple of entertaining minor characters.

Being an AMS fan, I still held out some hope for this book when nearing the end I came across this: You can live without the thing that you want about all else; you can be free of it. We all have to do that; we all have to make a compromise. She would let James go, as people everywhere gave up the unattainable. And in giving up, there was a freedom. (p. 311)

Knowing how gentle, genteel, and gentlemanly AMS is I can’t say as I was surprised by the ending, but boy-oh-boy…

And yet being a loyal fan I can’t give a rating lower than 3 stars because despite the fingernails-across-the-chalk-board grimacing the last few chapters caused me, I’ve always enjoyed his story telling and his writing. Take for instance this description of a fine near-winter day:

Yet the sky was clean and when the sun rose properly it would be one of those sunny, exhilarating days that a northern city like Edinburgh can sometimes pull out of a hat – a day in which these senses are rendered more acute by the cold in the air; a day in which distances are forshortened by clarity. The sunlight would not be warm, but it would still be felt, the breath of an unseen creature upon your skin, a soft, slight touch. (pp. 237-238)...more

Amanda and David are ex-pats living in the Cayman Islands. Amanda is American; David is Scottish. He is employed by an international accounting firm. They have 2 children, Clover (a girl) and Billy. David works hard and isn't around much. Amanda becomes bored and feels attracted to another man. David too feels that he has fallen out of love with his wife.

The other man's son is Clover's best friend. She has a crush on him which he does not appear to reciprAbout a 3.5, which I've rounded up to 4.

Amanda and David are ex-pats living in the Cayman Islands. Amanda is American; David is Scottish. He is employed by an international accounting firm. They have 2 children, Clover (a girl) and Billy. David works hard and isn't around much. Amanda becomes bored and feels attracted to another man. David too feels that he has fallen out of love with his wife.

The other man's son is Clover's best friend. She has a crush on him which he does not appear to reciprocate.

The novel follows both longings, that of Amanda for the man and Clover for his son over a long time period. The parallels are a bit too "pat."

IMO, it's a good book, except for the ending, but that's a pretty big except. It's very, very different than the author's other books. This is not light "comfortable" reading. It deals with more adult themes. And, until the end, I really enjoyed it. The end is just too abrupt and seems inconsistent with what has gone before.

Alexander McCall Smith’s latest novel stands on its own, not part of any of his series, and explores a new setting: The Cayman Islands. The story follows two families on Grand Cayman, an odd place awash in money where nearly everyone is from someplace else. Clover and James, children at the start of the novel, practically grow up together, until one day a chill between their respective sets of parents guides them apart.

For most children at that it age, it wouldn’t matter -- each is off to boardAlexander McCall Smith’s latest novel stands on its own, not part of any of his series, and explores a new setting: The Cayman Islands. The story follows two families on Grand Cayman, an odd place awash in money where nearly everyone is from someplace else. Clover and James, children at the start of the novel, practically grow up together, until one day a chill between their respective sets of parents guides them apart.

For most children at that it age, it wouldn’t matter -- each is off to boarding school in the U.K. and beginning a new and more independent life. But Clover can’t let go of James, not wanting to lose his friendship, and wanting even more than that. So she ends up pining for most of the book, which just isn't very interesting.

Because these are Nice People with generally good values, no money woes and no real hardships in their lives, we know nothing horrible or drastic is going to happen and that they’ll all end up fine even if they don’t get everything they want. But Clover and James don’t seem to have much chemistry -- or personality -- and Clover’s mother’s story is far more intriguing despite having less emphasis.

The novel is well written, has flashes of McCall Smith’s trademark insight into the human spirit, and is a nice diversion, but probably works best as a read-and-forgotten beach read....more

The Forever Girl, by Alexander McCall Smith, Narrated by Susan Lyons, Produced by Recorded Books, downloaded from audible.com.

This is a stand-alone novel that tells the story of David and Amanda, and their daughter, who changes her name at the age of 4 from Sally to Clover and remains Clover ever after. David and Amanda live with other ex-pats on the Grand Caymans in comparative luxury and security. But Amanda falls out of love with David and is attracted to another man. While she doesn’t bringThe Forever Girl, by Alexander McCall Smith, Narrated by Susan Lyons, Produced by Recorded Books, downloaded from audible.com.

This is a stand-alone novel that tells the story of David and Amanda, and their daughter, who changes her name at the age of 4 from Sally to Clover and remains Clover ever after. David and Amanda live with other ex-pats on the Grand Caymans in comparative luxury and security. But Amanda falls out of love with David and is attracted to another man. While she doesn’t bring an affair to fruition, the island is small enough so that people see what is going on. In the meantime, Clover fell in love at a very early age with James, who happens to be the son of the man Amanda is attracted to. But as they reach the teenage years, James seems to be going away from Clover even though, Clover is forever in love with him. Amanda and David decide to separate and are apart for three years. Thus far, the story proceeds along normal paths. But then, somehow, McCall Smith brings the story to an end with everyone becoming satisfied, a fairly implausible solution. Still, it was a beautifully written novel and I enjoyed all the information about the Grand Caymans. ...more

I read this book because I have liked a book series by Alexander McCall Smith and I wanted to see what he would do with a stand-alone novel.

This has to be among the 5 worst books that I have ever read. The heroine of this story is 12 years old when the book begins and 22 when it ends. During the entire book she obsesses about a childhood friend whom she believes she loves. Obsession is the operative word here. She basically does nothing else for ten years. I have never understood how people canI read this book because I have liked a book series by Alexander McCall Smith and I wanted to see what he would do with a stand-alone novel.

This has to be among the 5 worst books that I have ever read. The heroine of this story is 12 years old when the book begins and 22 when it ends. During the entire book she obsesses about a childhood friend whom she believes she loves. Obsession is the operative word here. She basically does nothing else for ten years. I have never understood how people can profess to love someone who does not love them back. Especially someone who is totally clueless as to the feelings of the heroine BECAUSE SHE NEVER TELLS HIM. Yet she is continuously hurt because he doesn't call, phone, etc. Then comes an ending that is totally not credible, given the circumstances. It just could not have happened that way.

I kept reading because I hoped that she would eventually find herself and stop wasting her life waiting for something she wished for to fall in her life with no effort on her part. Sadly she never did. Reading this book was a complete waste of my time. I write this review hoping that someone will read it who is slogging through the book in hopes of a wonderful resolution. It doesn't. My advise is to stop, cut your loses, and find a better book. It won't be hard....more

Alexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in whatAlexander McCall Smith is the author of the international phenomenon The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, the Isabel Dalhousie Series, the Portuguese Irregular Verbs series, and the 44 Scotland Street series. He is professor emeritus of medical law at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland and has served on many national and international bodies concerned with bioethics. He was born in what is now known as Zimbabwe and he was a law professor at the University of Botswana. He lives in Scotland. Visit him online at www.alexandermccallsmith.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter....more

“Because sometimes in this life we’re given things that we don’t deserve – that we haven’t done anything to merit, so to speak. We don’t have to give those up if they come our way. And remember this: plenty of people are better off than you. Inequality is written into the way the world works, no matter how hard we try to correct it.” Miss Hardy paused. “You may be fortunate in one respect and less fortunate in another. Nobody’s guaranteed happiness across the board. Fate has her own ideas of equality.”
—
0 likes